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We invite you to ride with us to Portola to join in on the fun and excitement at the 28th annual Portola Railroad Days Festival in the beautiful Feather River Canyon of the High Sierra. Travel onboard our private charter 14 car train departing from Emeryville with stops to pick-up passengers in Martinez, Davis and Sacramento. After departing Sacramento our train swings onto the former Western Pacific Route. This route has been used for freight only traffic since 1970. Only a few private charters have been approved to travel in the Feather River Canyon since then.
This will be the first time a charter train has run directly to Portola, for the annual Portola Railroad Days Festival. This three day tour is packed full of exciting fun for the entire family and the railfans wanting the unforgettable experience of traversing the Feather River Canyon. We are offering several classes of tickets for every budget with roundtrip fares starting at only $298 for adults and $148 for children. Come join the party!
Passengers in Pullman Sleeping car class will stay onboard the train that will be parked at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum during the Portola Railroad Days Festival. This will give these passengers full access to the festival and the museum grounds from their sleeping car. For passengers in all other ticket classes we are offering several options for local lodging, and transfers in the Portola-Graeagle area. Transfers to Reno are also being offered.
We are pleased to announce this tour and excursion will be called a sure-go as soon as the Amtrak charter contract is on our desk and signed. We are expecting this to happen in March. Reservations are now being accepted without any payments due until this excursion is called a sure-go.
A PBS TV crew will be filming a segment of their popular and long running "Tracks Ahead" program. They will include the Portola Railroad Days Festival, Western Pacific Railroad Museum and will travel onboard our train August 20 Emeryville to Portola to capture this exciting train ride in the Feather River Canyon.
Our 2009 train on the Chandler Creek Trestle near Quincy in the Feather River Canyon
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Above guide book cover from:
Candir Guides to Services and Attractions
P.O. Box 1371
Quincy, CA 95971
(530) 283-1729
email: Sales@Candir.info
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DAY 1 FRIDAY AUGUST 20: (Lunch included on board) The excitement and fun begins as you board our private charter train at Emeryville. We are scheduled to depart at 8:00AM. (Subject to change by the Railroad) You are welcome to board our excursion at Martinez, Davis or Sacramento. Departing eastbound from the Bay Area our train runs on the former Southern Pacific Route along water's edge of the San Francisco Bay with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge. As we enter the Carquinez Strait and run under I-80, we will make a stop at Martinez to pick-up passengers. From here the rail route swings east over the Suisun Bay Bridge where you can get a great view of the US Navy's mothball fleet in Grizzly Bay. After leaving the Bay Area it is straight shot to Davis were we will again stop to pick-up passengers. Our last passenger stop will be Sacramento.
WE ENTER ONTO THE FEATHER RIVER ROUTE
Shortly after departing Sacramento our train will swing onto the former Western Pacific Route and head north across the Sacramento Valley for Marysville and Oroville. After departing Oroville the rail line starts the climb in the High Sierra running around Lake Oroville. At one point we run over Lake Oroville on the West Branch and then travel through a series of tunnels running under Big Bend Mountain for several miles until we come out deep in the lower region of the Feather River Canyon . From this point our train makes its way in a northeast direction for the next 91 miles through three different regions of the rugged Feather River Canyon. A number of PG&E hydro dams and powerhouses can be seen from our train. We will pass through a total of 32 tunnels on our train journey today. Arrival in Portola is scheduled for 4:30PM. This is all freight only trackage; which very rarely sees a passenger train.
PHOTOS OF THE SPECTACULAR FEATHER RIVER CANYON
THE EASTBOUND ITINERARY
(SUBJECT TO MODIFICATION BY THE RAILROAD)
Depart Emeryville.............8:00AM
Depart Martinez...............8:40AM
Depart Davis..................9:30AM
Depart Sacramento.............10:15AM
Arrive Portola................4:30PM
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Upon arrival in Portola those passengers holding a Pullman Sleeping car ticket will be able to stay right onboard the train. Our train will be parked on the museum grounds next to the former Western Pacific workshops. This gives those passengers perfect access to all of the Portola Railroad Days Festival action on Saturday. Passengers in coach, dome and lounge class will be transferred to local motels, hotels and resorts within a 10-mile radius of Portola. For those passengers who want to go directly to Reno, we will provide a transfer option.
THE ABOVE PHOTOS ARE OF THE CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR DOME
CARS IN THE FEATHER RIVER CANYON IN 2008 AND 2009
DAY 2 SATURDAY AUGUST 21: The 28th annual Portola Railroad Days Festival starts to gear up in the morning with special breakfast option offered by the Rotary Club before the Golden Spike Parade begins at 11:00AM. All of our passengers will be able to choose from a number of options today which will include local bus transfers from your motel to the festival and return. These special options will be posted on this page, as we get closer to Railroad Days. Over the years Railroad Days has become a very popular event . It draws folks from hundreds of miles to take part in a weekend of great family fun. It is a celebration of just how important the railroad is to the history and development of Portola.
The famous Western Pacific Railroad was the last transcontinental line to be built. Portola is a division point between East and West with all trains stopping here to change crews and motive power. Portola is home to a hand full of crews that work both directions over the famous "Feather River Route", now owned and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad. UP took over the Western Pacific Railroad, in 1982. In 1983 several former WP railroad employees founded the Feather River Rail Society. Their goal is to preserve the memories and significant equipment from the 100 year history of the WP, for future generations. The Western Pacific Railroad Museum is located on the grounds of the old Western Pacific locomotive facility. The Western Pacific Railroad Museum now has one of the best collections of early diesel locomotives in the U.S. The first Railroad Days event was held in August 1983, as a celebration of the railroad and the museum, and has been held annually since. We invite you to join us for a day of great family fun starting with the Golden Spike Parade in the morning. There will be endless activities for the rest of the day including train rides at the museum, operating model railroad displays, railroad flee market, arts & crafts fair, entertainment, old car displays, great food, drink, and much more.
GETTING TO KNOW THE PORTOLA AREA
There is so much to see and do in the Upper Feather River Canyon Country, which is in Eastern Plumas County. This is a beautiful region of the High Sierra in Northern California with exciting activilies for the entire family. We have listed a number of interesting links to points of interest in this area. We invite you to click on these links and take a peak at this spectacular area of Northern California.
PORTOLA
http://www.portolarailroaddays.com/
http://www.ci.portola.ca.us/
http://portolavisitorscenter.com/
http://www.portolarailroaddays.com/Dad's%20Website/portola%20history.html
http://plumasmuseum.org/pdf/nletter05.09.pdf
WESTERN PACIFIC RAILROAD MUSEUM
PORTOLA RAILROAD DAYS FESTIVAL
http://www.wplives.org
http://www.flickriver.com/places/United+States/California/Portola/
http://www.dochemp.com/portola.html
http://plumasmuseum.org/pdf/nletter05.09.pdf
LAKE DAVIS
http://www.water.ca.gov/recreation/locations/davis/
GRAEAGLE & MOHAWK VALLEY
http://graeaglecalifornia.com/
PLUMAS-EUREKA STATE PARK
GOLD LAKES BASIN
SIERRA BUTTES
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqP99nPW7ZE
http://www.plumas-eureka.org/
http://geography.sierracollege.edu/backcountrypages/more/lakes_basin.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH8_hr_0eUg
http://www.aboutlaketahoe.com/hiking/sierra-buttes.htm
FEATHER RIVER CANYON FROM
LAKE OROVILLE TO PORTOLA
http://www.plumascounty.org/Tour%20Itineraries%202008/Spec%20Tour%207.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlywCa9wy1Q&feature=related
FEATHER RIVER EXPRESS OPERATED
OCTOBER 30-NOVEMBER 1, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_HTdZ60EZY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmS828Ur1C0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQNSKa9t3T0
The upper Feather River Canyon in the Portola-Graeagle-Mohawk area is spectacular
 Click Here For A Photo Story Of This Event
THE GOLDEN SPIKE PARADE AT THE RAILROAD
DAYS FESTIVAL IN PORTOLA
THE WESTERN PACIFIC RAILROAD MUSEUM
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OPERATING MODEL RAILROAD DISPLAYS AT THE WESTERN PACIFIC RAILROAD MUSEUM DURING THIS FESTIVAL THAT WILL DELIGHT KIDS OF ALL AGES
DAY 3 SUNDAY AUGUST 22: (Lunch provided onboard) Early morning transfers from the motels back to the railroad yard in Portola to board our charter train. Our train is scheduled to depart Portola at 8:00AM for the return journey Westbound through the Feather River Canyon and back to the Bay Area. The scheduled arrival back in Emeryville is 4:45PM.
(SUBJECT TO MODIFICATION BY THE RAILROAD)
Portola........................8:00AM
Arrive Sacramento..............2:30PM
Arrive Davis...................3:45PM
Arrive Martinez................4:15PM
Arrive Emeryville..............4:45PM
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PRICES ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON
COACH ROUNDTRIP.............................................$ 298
COACH ROUNDTRIP CHILDREN 4-12...............................$ 148
COACH ONEWAY EITHER DIRECTION...............................$ 178
COACH ONEWAY EITHER DIRECTION CHILDREN 4-12.................$ 98
LOUNGE CAR ROUNDTRIP........................................$ 348
DOME CAR FULL DOME ROUNDTRIP................................$ 428
DOME CAR FULL DOME ROUNDTRIP CHILDREN 4-12..................$ 248
DOME CAR FULL DOME ONEWAY...................................$ 248
DOME CAR FULL DOME ONEWAY CHILDREN 4-12.....................$ 148
DOME CAR SILVER SPLENDOR OR PLAZA SANTA FE ROUNDTRIP........$ 698 SILVER SPLENDOR SOLD OUT
PULLMAN SLEEPER STAY ONBOARD IN PORTOLA ROUNDTRIP...........$ 848
ALL OF THE ABOVE FARES AND OPTIONS INCLUDE A BOX LUNCH & DRINK EACH DIRECTION
ACCESSIBILITY:
The Golden Sand Coach is fully ADA accessible with 36-inch wide
entry door, large handicapped restroom and wheelchair lockdown.
We can accept handicapped persons in this car at the coach fare.
This rail car will be in our consist just behind the motive power.
The balance of our train is exampt by Federal Law and NOT
handicapped accessible and cannot accommodate wheelchairs. This
is from the American Disabilities Act Sec. 12184 parargraph c.
Historical and antiquated Rail Cars that are 30 years or older
are not required to be ADA accessable.
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PREMIUM FARE PASSAGE BELOW
THE OPTIONS BELOW INCLUDE A GOURMET SITDOWN LUNCH ENROUTE BOTH
DIRECTIONS, SERVED ON MONOGRAM CHINA, FINE LINENS, CUT FLOWERS,
UNIFORMED PROFESSIONAL STAFF, FOOD PREPARED FRESH BY OUR ONBOARD
AWARD WINNING CHEF AND FULL UNLIMITED BAR SERVICE. AFTERNOON HORS
D' OEUVRES. THIS OPTION OFFERS THE FINEST IN LUXURY PASSENGER RAIL
TRAVEL. THESE THREE CARS WILL BE POSITIONED AT THE REAR OF OUR TRAIN.
ACCESS TO THESE CARS WILL ONLY BE GRANTED TO PASSENGERS THAT PURCHASE
A PREMIUM FARE TICKET. ALSO THESE PASSENGERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE
ENTIRE TRAIN.
CZ SILVER RAPIDS SLEEPER
***Includes a guaranteed dome seat in either the Silver Lariat or
Silver Solarium. These passengers will also have full access to
the rear end lounge in the Silver Solarium. You are welcome to
move around and will have access to the entire train.
CZ SILVER LARIAT VISTA DOME COACH
***Lower level premium coach passengers will not have a guaranteed
dome seat, but if one is available may use it. These passengers
also has access to the rear end lounge in the Silver Solarium
and the entire train.
CZ SILVER SOLARIUM VISTA DOME-SLEEPER-OBSERVATION
***Includes a guaranteed dome seat for the Pullman Sleeping passengers
in either the Silver Solarium or Silver Lariat and the rear end
lounge in this car. You are welcome to move around and will have access
to the entire train.
PREMIUM FARE WAIT-LIST
WE HAVE STATRED A WAIT-LIST FOR PREMIUM PULLMAN SLEEPING CAR OPTIONS
LISTED BELOW. YOU WILL NEED TO CHOOSE ANOTHER FARE OPTION ON THE TRAIN
AND THEN WE WILL PLACE YOU ON THIS WAIT LIST. THE SOONER YOU GET ON
THE WAIT LIST THE BETTER CHANCE YOU HAVE TO UPGRADE TO YOUR DESIRED
CHOICE ONBOARD THESE PREMIUM CARS
COACH-SILVER LARIAT IN LOWER LEVEL SEATS RT.................$ 398 8 SEATS
DOME CLASS-SILVER LARIAT RT.................................$ 848 4 SEATS
DOME CLASS-SILVER SOLARUM REAR OF TRAIN RT..................$ 948 4 SEATS
PULLMAN SLEEPER SILVER RAPIDS RT............................$1298 SOLD OUT WAIT LIST
PULLMAN SLEEPER SILVER SOLARIUM REAR OF TRAIN RT............$1798 SOLD OUT WAIT LIST
PULLMAN SLEEPER SILVER SOLARUM MASTER DRAWING ROOM RT.......$2398 SOLD OUT
PAYMENTS: No payments are due until this excursion is called a
sure-go. After sure-go status is reached full payment will be due
within 10 days.
ONBOARD OPTIONS AND WHAT IS INCLUDED
COACH SEAT
* BOX LUNCH & DRINK
* COACH SEAT IN THE GOLDEN SAND OR GOLDEN SHORES
* ACCESS TO EXPLORE THE FIRST 6 CARS OF THE TRAIN
LOUNGE CAR SEAT
* BOX LUNCH & DRINK
* LOUNGE SEAT IN THE PLAZA SANTA FE OR COLONIAL CRAFTS
* ACCESS TO EXPLORE THE FIRST 7 CARS OF THE TRAIN
DOME CAR SEAT
* BOX LUNCH & DRINK
* DOME SEAT IN THE OCEAN VIEW, NENANA OR PLAZA SANTA FE
* ACCESS TO EXPLORE THE FIRST 6 CARS OF THE TRAIN
PULLMAN SLEEPING CAR ROOMS
* BOX LUNCH & DRINK
* PRIVATE PULLMAN SLEEPING CAR ROOM ON THE TRAIN JOURNEY
* FULL OCCUPANCY IN PORTOLA PARKED AT THE RAILROAD MUSEUM FOR TWO NIGHTS
* ACCESS TO EXPLORE THE FIRST 10 CARS OF THE TRAIN AT YOUR LEISURE
PREMIUM COACH SEAT
* FIRST CLASS GOURMET LUNCH SERVED ON LINEN & FINE CHINA
* OPEN BAR FOR UNLIMITED DRINKS FOR THE ENTIRE JOURNEY
* SNACKS AND AFTERNOON HORS D'OEUVRES
* COACH SEAT IN THE SILVER LARIAT LOWER LEVEL
* SILVER SOLARIUM OBSERVATION LOUNGE AT THE REAR OF THE TRAIN
* ACCESS TO EXPLORE THE ENTIRE TRAIN AT YOUR LEISURE
PREMIUM DOME SEAT
* FIRST CLASS GOURMET LUNCH SERVED ON LINEN & FINE CHINA IN THE DOME
* SNACKS AND AFTERNOON HORS D' OEUVRES
* DOME SEAT IN THE SILVER LARIAT OR SILVER SOLARIUM
* SILVER SOLARIUM OBSERVATION LOUNGE AT THE REAR OF THE TRAIN
* ACCESS TO EXPLORE THE ENTIRE TRAIN AT YOUR LEISURE
PREMIUM PULLMAN SLEEPER
* FIRST CLASS GOURMET LUNCH SERVED ON LINEN & FINE CHINA IN THE DOME
* SNACKS AND AFTERNOON HORS D'OEUVRES
* PRIVATE PULLMAN BEDROOM, DRAWING ROOM OR ROOMETTE
* GUARANTEE DOME SEAT IN THE SILVER LARIAT OR SILVER SOLARIUM
* SILVER SOLARIUM OBSERVATION LOUNGE AT THE REAR OF THE TRAIN
* ACCESS TO EXPLORE THE ENTIRE TRAIN AT YOUR LEISURE
THE TRAIN CONSIST
SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANYTIME
CAR NAME TYPE HISTORY STATUS NOTES
1. Golden Sand.............Coach SP OK GS-ADA Accessible
2 Ocean View..............Full Dome GN Pending EB-Amtrak
3. Golden Shore............Coach SP OK Built for GS
4. Plaza Santa Fe..........Dome-Lounge ATSF OK Built for SC
5. Pony Express............Party Car CP OK Baggage Car
6. Nenana..................Full Dome ATSF OK Built for CAP (IP)
7. Colonial Crafts.........Sleeper-Lounge PRR OK BW & others
8. Silver Splendor.........Dome-Lounge CB&Q OK Built for DZ
9. Palm Leaf...............Sleeper ATSF OK Built for SC
10. Pacific Sands...........Sleeper UP OK UP Cities
11. Salisbury Beach.........Sleeper B&M OK SM For Staff
12. Silver Rapids...........Sleeper PRR OK Built for CZ
13. Silver Lariat...........Dome-Coach CB&Q OK Built for CZ
14. Silver Solarium.........Dome-Sleeper-Obs CB&Q OK Built for CZ.
Codes for the above "Notes" column.
GS: Golden State Limited
SC: Super Chief
DZ: Denver Zephyr
EB: Empire Builder
BW: Broadway Limited
SM: State of Maine Express
CAP: El Capitan & Chicagoan/Kanasa Cityan (Switched to Chief)
IP: Iowa Pacific's San Luis & Rio Grande RR
UP Cities: City of Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco & St Louis
PHOTOS OF THE RAILROAD CARS
Golden Sand Coach
Ocean View Full Dome
Golden Shore Coach
Plaza Santa Fe Pleasure Dome and Lounge
Pony Exress Party Car-Baggage Doors Open
Nenana Full Dome and Lounge
Colonial Crafts Sleeper and Lounge
Silver Splendor Vista Dome and Lounge
Palm Leaf Sleeper
Pacific Sands Sleeper
Salisbury Beach Sleeper
Silver Rapids Sleeper
Silver Lariat Vista Dome and Coach
Silver Solarium Sleeper-Lounge-Observation
LODGING OPTIONS INCLUDES TWO NIGHTS LODGING
AND UNLIMITED BUS TRANSFERS ALL THREE DAYS BETWEEN MOTEL/RESORT LOCATIONS AND
PORTOLA/RAILROAD MUSEUM PRICES ARE PER PERSON
NOTE: WE HAVE BLOCKED OUT ALL ROOMS IN THE PORTOLA AREA FOR OUR PASSENGERS. THERE IS NO TAXI SERVICE, HOTEL OPERATED TRANSFER SERVICES OR RENTAL CAR COMPANIES IN THE PORTOLA AREA.
PORTOLA IS SMALL AND ONLY HAS A POPULATION OF 4200
Sierra Motel
In Portola (No transfers needed on Saturday as you can walk)
DOUBLE ROOM OCCUPANCY........................................$128
SINGLE ROOM..................................................$228
Sleepy Pines Motel River Pines Resort
1 mile west of Portola Graeagle-Mohawk
DOUBLE ROOM OCCUPANCY........................................$158
SINGLE ROOM..................................................$258
Chalet View Lodge Resort
5 miles west of Portola
Includes Continental Breakfast each morning
DOUBLE ROOM OCCUPANCY........................................$228
SINGLE ROOM..................................................$378
PORTOLA-RENO-PORTOLA TRANSFERS
August 20 Portola to Reno Amtrak station.....................$ 58
August 22 Reno Amtrak Station to Portola.....................$ 58
Departure from Reno at 6:00AM
ACCESSIBILITY:
The Golden Sand Coach is fully ADA accessible with 36-inch wide
entry door, large handicapped restroom and wheelchair lockdown.
We can accept handicapped persons in this car at the coach fare.
This rail car will be in our consist just behind the motive power.
The balance of our train is exampt by Federal Law and NOT
handicapped accessible and cannot accommodate wheelchairs. This
is from the American Disabilities Act Sec. 12184 parargraph c.
Historical and antiquated Rail Cars that are 30 years or older
are not required to be ADA accessable.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. All passengers who purchase their lodging from us will receive
unlimited scheduled bus transfers to and from the motel or resort.
On Saturday a regular bus transfer schedule will start early in
the morning and continue all day long for our passengers to get
from the lodging location to downtown Portola and the Western
Pacific Railroad Museum and back to your motel or resort. This
transfer service will continue into the evening for those folks
wanting to come into Portola for dinner.
2. There are 7 restaurants in Portola that will be serving breakfast,
lunch and dinner. A list of these restaurants will be included in
the final tour itinerary and tickets that will be sent out to all
passengers about three weeks before this excursion.
3. Some of the resorts do have their own restaurants. This includes
The Chalet View Lodge and River Pines Resort.
4. For those passengers in Pullman Sleeper class all 7 of the local
Portola restaurants are walking distance from the Western Pacific
Railroad Museum.
5. Saturday and Sunday morning the Portola Rotary will sponsor an "All
you can eat" breakfast and in due time we will be offering tickets
to our passengers. We will provide bus transfers for all passengers
from both the train and the motels/resorts to the Rotary breakfast.
6. On Saturday after the Golden Spike Parade and everyone gets a chance
to get some lunch we will be offering a local sightseeing tour of Lake
Davis, Mohawk Valley, Graeagle, Plumas-Eureka State Park and the Gold
Lakes Basin. Details and price for this tour will be posted on our
website this Spring.
7. There is also going to be a professional horse show that will take
place in the Mohawk Valley. The promoters are planning two shows on
Saturday. Once the times and prices are set we will post them on our
website and offer tickets to our passenges.
8. Horse back riding is available in the Mohawk Valley and the stables are
a short distance from the River Pines Resort.
9. There are 6 goft courses in the Mohawk Valley.
10. All luggage for non Pullman Sleeping car passengers will be transported
by highway from Emeryville, Martinez, Davis, and Sacramento directly to
the motel or resort that the passenger is booked at. This will ensure that
your luggage will be at your lodging prior to your arrival. The same on
the return Sunday. Luggage will travel by highway. Pullman Sleeping car
passengers will bring their luggage onboard with them.
11. We will be able to accept bikes either direction at no additional cost.
Space is limited and a request to bring your bike will be on a first come
first served basis.
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In 2009 a three car mini California Zephyr excursion train was operated between
Oakland and Portola roundtrip through the Feather River Canyon. We invite you
to click on the following link to view the trip photo report.
CLICK HERE
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TOUR BOOKING CONDITIONS
TOUR PRICE: All tour prices are subject to change without notice at any time.
CHANGE OF ITINERARY: We reserve the right to substitute, change train routing, alter or modify the tour if any unexpected and unforeseen conditions beyond our control occur. As almost everyone knows, in the railroad industry last minute changes do occur.
DEPOSITS AND FINAL PAYMENTS: The required deposit is due in our office within 14 days of making a booking. For most tours the final payment is due in our office 90 days before the start of the tour. Due dates are posted for each tour and will also be on your invoice and in some cases we will vary the due Date depending upon the tour in question.
MILEAGE COLLECTORS: Mileage collectors please take note before you book! Trains and Travel does not cater just to mileage collectors. We cater to all people that enjoy the railroad hobby. We give strong warning that itinerary and route changes do happen and this is totally beyond our control when it does. If the only reason that you would want to book a tour with us is to collect the rare mileage, may we suggest that you be prepared for possible route changes.
RESPONSIBILITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: We assume no responsibility for injury, sickness, damage, loss, additional expenses, accidental delay or irregularities which may be caused through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of the companies providing or engaging in transportation, accommodations or services related to the accomplishment of the tour including Trains and Travel. We have no control on the timings of our charter trains and indeed passenger trains and charters can and do run late most of the time. Nor do we assume responsibility for natural disaster, social or political upheaval, acts of terrorism or acts of nature. The right is reserved to substitute hotels, tour leaders, equipment, motive power, trains, routes and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary without notice. We are not responsible for expenses incurred by tour members in preparing for the tour.
CANCELLATIONS: Trains and Travel does not accept cancellations on the phone. Cancellations must be received by postal mail, e mail or fax before any refunds will be processed. Be sure and allow enough time if sending your written notice by the very slow US mail postal system. When a written cancellation is received in the Trains and Travel office this will be the effective date of the cancellation. Please take note that it can take up to 60 days to process some refunds in but most cases refunds will be issued in half that time. Cancellation refund rules: 100 days prior to the start of any tour you will receive a full refund less a $200 per person administration fee. 99 to 75 days before the departure of any tour there will be a 80% cancellation penalty based on the full cost of the tour. Any cancellations received 74 or less days before the start of any tour will not receive any refund. These cancellations rules apply to everyone and will be enforced.
RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE: Trains and Travel reserves the right to refuse service to anyone we deem necessary, to insure that all of our clients will have the best possible tour.
PRE-DEPARTURE TOUR BULLETINS: Tour bulletins will be sent to clients that have booked on our tours. Bulletins include weather, packing tips, food, health, updates and much more. Tickets and a detailed itinerary booklet will be sent out about three weeks before the tour begins.
PAYMENTS: Payments can be made with personal check drawn on a U.S. Dollar account, money order for U.S. Dollars, bank wire transfer, or credit card. We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover or American Express. Final payment for all tours is due 90 days prior to departure. If final payment has not been received 7 days after the due date, a late fee of $50 may apply.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: All prices are based on double room occupancy. We will try and match you with a roommate. if one is available. If not, you may be charged the single room supplement listed for the tour you are booked on. Single rooms may not be available in some remote locations and on some trains.
TOUR REFUNDS: If for any reason tour members amend or delete any arrangements during travel, and leave the tour on their own, we cannot give any refunds on unused portions of the tour. If buses and trains are cancelled by the carrier or there is a labor strike or they go out of business, we cannot be held responsible and we cannot give refunds. Travel insurance will protect you for any of these reasons. If TU needs to cancel any tour everyone will receive a full refund. Please take note that refunds can take up to 60 days to process.
PARTIAL TOURS: We will allow passengers to join or leave a tour at certain points. It will all depend on the tour and the conditions. Give us a call and we will try and work up a custom option for you.
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